Roots By The Cavemen In RealTime
Sometime in April, I randomly retweeted a reply to a tweet made by The Cavemen. They had just concluded a performance the night before, and were showing appreciation to everyone who turned up to watch them play.
I found this in the replies and RT’ed, not really believing it could happen.
And then weeks later, everything in my life started to align in perfect order. As if by some wonderful stroke of luck, or by divine arrangement if you will, I found myself at a beach in Lagos, just in time to see The Cavemen perform all the songs from their highlife-themed debut album, Roots.
I actually started listening to Roots in November, 2020, though I’d been endeared already just from watching 1–2 minutes long videos of them on Twitter. It became one of the two best albums I had rinsed in 2020.
Going to watch The Cavemen perform seemed like such an impossible feat considering the fact that I live in Ilorin and I hardly know my way around the city of Lagos. But then I saw the ad and determined in my heart right then that I would be there. I didn’t even care that I would be alone as I don’t know any fans of Roots.
Getting to Wave Beach from Iju Road was like moving through a maze with a blindfold on, but eventually I arrived, super excited to hear good music live!
I settled in with a Piña colada (now my favorite drink) and blended in seamlessly with the Johnny Walker mannequins and the beautiful children of the island.
It was already an amazing time watching notable performances by Sir Dauda, Eze Emela, Tomi Owo, and of course that DJ! The energy of the scene was unreal; one would imagine mostly people from the oldest generation would be in attendance but it turned out to be the millennials and Gen-Zs like me. Just maybe we’re our parents’ ancestors or dead mates who reincarnated, what with our overly puffy sleeves and our bell-bottom jeans ( I was wearing a red-ish bell-bottom jumpsuit, inspired by Kendall Jenner) and finally our love for Osadebe/ De Coque -esque music.
One of the best things I remember from that night was randomly seeing Lady Donli standing right in front of me, blocking my view of the handsome Sir Dauda. This isn’t something I see everyday where I’m from, and so it took most of my home training to not jump and scream at the rockstar.
Finally the wait was over, it was time to experience The Cavemen live on stage.
The stage went dark for sometime, save for the flickering white lights. Each instrumentalist took position, including the beautiful back-up singer. Benjamin and Kingsley Okorie were right in front of me. It was surreal, watching their intro was almost like watching The UnderTaker from WWE come into the ring. And to think they were creating this suspenseful, beautiful moment with their chords and strings, welcoming us into the cave!
Benjamin’s adlibs soon sent the crowd into a frenzy. The effect his surprisingly high pitch has!
They began with songs I’d never heard but the energy was electric, shocking my feet to move of their own accord. It’s just like church you see, and I’m glad that this type of music has transcended church and weddings. It’s Live!
It’s in real time and the quality is unmatched. None of that lip-syncing stuff, just actual musicians performing naturally. The transfer of attention was incredible; from Kingsley with his guitar and passionate strong calls, to Benjamin simultaneously doing crazy adlibs while almost destroying the drums. I felt certain the snare would tear that night.
The lead guitarist, as well as the saxophonist and the percussion guys were nothing short of amazing in their delivery. The cherry on top was the power dancer in their midst translating rhythm to emotion through her dance. I want to be like her.
I enjoyed every song on Roots but I looked forward to Bena and Bolo Bolo the most. Both songs ended up being the best in performance. By divine inspiration , the Yorubas among the crowd knew the words or at least we thought we did.
I also love how Benjamin was given the platform to perform “Sexual Healing”, showcasing his playful side. It was a dangerous performance for real, with those booty shorts stopping mid-thigh, leaving your eyes and mind to wander and appreciate. Big shoutout to their stylist!
The rendition of Beautiful Rain was an actual spiritual moment. I could feel the will in the air around me; people seeking change, seeking redemption and healing, with no better way to express it than through music. I sought healing too, raising my hands to the sky, willing strongly to feel the rain heal all my flaws, wash me inside and out …
But this ain’t no church! I opened my eyes just in time to see sneaky beads of sweat drip down Kingsley’s hairy, very manly chest, beckoning to me. Rain down on me!
On a more serious note, it was spiritual.
Midnight was drawing close when Bolt would stop all their drivers from picking rides but Made Kuti had just come on stage and it was absolutely genius. Why should I leave when this is where I belong?
Other amazing musicians I’d never heard of until that night played and played, The Cavemen serving as back-up.
Onye Ma Uche and Anita , Osondu and Iro (my current fave), Oge, Obiageri! Every song was brilliant, and I could feel my loneliness dissipating amidst people of like minds.
How I eventually got to my estate in Iju at 1:00 am is still a mystery to me. But the stress, the transport fare that almost ruined me, it was all worth it. The best birthday gift I ever gave myself!
Here’s to squeezing as much good memories as I can into the remainder of my life 🥂
